Instrument for the cure of stammering



uNrrED srArgEs PATENT oEEioE.

ROBERT BATES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INSTRUMENT FOR TI-IE Specification of Letters Patent No To all 'wiz-0m t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT BATES, of the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method by Instruments foi` the Cure of Stammering, and that Athe following is a full, clear and exact description of the principle or character which distinguishes my method of instruments from all other things before known and of the manner of making, constructing, and using the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specication, inwhich- Figures l and 2 show perspective views of the mouth instrument, and Fig. 3 represents a section of the roof of t-he mouth with the instrument in place; and Fig. Il shows a perspective view of the throat instrument, and Fig. 5 shows the throat instrument in place. The same letters indicate different views of the same part.

The nature of my invention consists in the employment of a tube in the mouth for the passage of air from the mouth when the muscles, that close the orice of the mouth and stop the egress of air in speaking, are suddenly contracted by spasmodic action; and in the employment of a strap around the throat, provided with a lspring pad regulated by a screw, which pad presses against the throat and keeps the glottis or larynx of the throat open; thereby allowing a free passage of air through the throatand mouth from the lungs; the arrest of which air by the spasmodic action of the throat and mouth causes stammering, and its escape by means of my instruments cures the spasmodic action and consequently cures stammering.

In the accompanying drawings represents a flattened tube open at each end; this flattened tube is shaped to fit the roof of the mouth and is about seven eighths of an inch long, about three eighths of an inch from edge to edge inside, and about one sixteenth of an inch from side to side; it extends down to the teeth where it can be fastened by passing a small wire (7)) between the teeth as shown in Fig. 3. By the application of this, when the tongue is pressed against the roof of the mouth or teeth, as in making the lingual or dental sounds, and speech is prevented by an un- CURE OF STAMMERING.

. 8,394, dated September 30, 1851. 1

due or spasnrodc action of the muscles tending to stop the air, the air has free access through the tube above named, and the patient is at once relieved and is enabled to articulate. To relieve the patient in the labial sounds where the lips are so compressed as to prevent the escape of air there is an additional extension (c) of the tube which projects outward between the lips so that they cannot be closed air tight, this eX- tension piece is, for convenience, to be slipped on, and off of the piece (a) when desired. The guttural sounds, it is well known, may be freely enunciated by a presby grasping the throat with a gentle pressure just above the collar bone; but I have enabled the guttural sounds to be uttered by my methods of instruments as follows: Besides the use of the tube just now described I have a belt, Fig. t, (rl) made of patent or glazed leather lined with morocco, or made of other strong material, which is secured around the neck by means of a buckle behind as in ythe ordinary stock. In the front part of this belt isset a metallic plate, Fig. 5 (e dotted line,) through which the regulating screw (f) passes; inside of the circuit of the strap is a metallic spring covered with kid or other soft and strong material, secured at both ends by sewing to the strap, with the center of this spring pad opposite the end of the regulating screw, and when the strap is put around the neck, the patient can conveniently cause the spring pad to press the glottis or larynx of the throat open Amore or less by screwing up or unscrewing this regulating screw. The Fig. 5 shows the strap around the neck, in its proper place.

By a constant use of my instruments for a short time they will be found a perfect corrective. The tube can then be gradually contracted until it is closed, and the spring pad be gradually eased until the pressure of it is removed; and finally, they can be removed without a return of the disease.

Having thus fully described my instruments for the cure of stammering and their application and method of use, what I by Letters `Patent isl. rIhe employment of a tube in the mouth, which will admit of speaking and of claim as my invention and desire to secure sure of the hand on the glottis or larynx, or

the passage of air when either the tongue or same time curing the guttural, lingual and lips would prevent the passage of air, sublabial disease of stammering, substantially 10,

stantially as herein above set forth. as herein above set forth.

2. The employment of the adjustable 5 spring pad substantially as herein above set ROBERT BATES' forth. Witnesses 3. The joint employment of the mouth CLAUDIUS STEWART,

tube and the adjustable spring pad, at the P. D. REMLEY. 

